Oakland Raiders name Derek Carr their starting quarterback

By Jerry McDonald jmcdonald@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted:
09/01/2014 03:23:03 PM PDT

Updated:
09/01/2014 10:47:49 PM PDT

ALAMEDA -- The NFL will have a rookie quarterback starting in Week 1 after all.

Derek Carr, a second-round draft pick out of Fresno State, officially overtook Matt Schaub on Monday when coach Dennis Allen named him the starter for the Raiders' regular-season road opener against the New York Jets.

"It's not an indictment on Matt Schaub at all," Allen said after practice. "I feel very confident in Matt Schaub. I think it says more about where we feel Derek Carr is in his progression."

Neither quarterback was available for comment, and a club spokesman said they would speak Tuesday. The story was first reported by Fox Sports shortly before the Raiders began practice.

None of the three quarterbacks selected in the first round -- No. 3 Blake Bortles of Jacksonville, No. 22 Johnny Manziel of Cleveland and No. 32 Teddy Bridgewater of Minnesota -- are starting for their respective teams.

Carr, selected by the Raiders at No. 36, joins strongside linebacker Khalil Mack and left guard Gabe Jackson as rookies who will begin the season in the starting lineup. Carr will be the first true rookie quarterback in franchise history to start a regular-season opener.

Schaub, acquired in March for a sixth-round draft pick from the Houston Texans, was Allen's unquestioned No. 1 throughout the entire offseason and deep into training camp. On several occasions, Allen referred to Schaub as a "top 10 quarterback" in the NFL based on his body of work in Houston.

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Instead, Schaub, guaranteed $8 million this season, will open the season as the backup with Matt McGloin as third string. Although Schaub struggled to get the ball downfield and missed time last week with a sore elbow, Allen said the switch was more about what Carr did than what Schaub couldn't do.

"You see a guy who continues to develop and continues to be mature beyond his years as a quarterback and a guy we feel very comfortable putting him out there and helping us win games," Allen said.

Carr started the exhibition finale while Schaub rested his elbow against the Seattle Seahawks and completed 11 of 13 passes for 143 yards, three touchdowns and led the offense to four touchdowns in four possessions.

Since Schaub was throwing in practice Monday and will be the backup, health wasn't the reason for the switch. At least temporarily, Schaub will be denied the "fresh start" he had been hoping for after bottoming out in a 2-14 season with the Texans in 2013.

"He's disappointed, like any competitor would be, but he's handling it like a pro," Allen said. "It's not an easy situation to be in. ... He understands how things operate. He'll be ready when his number is called."

It is the second consecutive season the Raiders benched a high-salaried starter before the regular-season opener. A season ago, Matt Flynn, acquired by trade from Seattle, was replaced by Terrelle Pryor. Flynn was released after performing poorly as an injury-replacement starter in a 24-14 loss to Washington in Week 4, pocketing a $6.5 million guarantee.

In winning the starting job, Carr beat out the quarterback who was brought to Houston in 2007 to replace his older brother, David Carr, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft. As David Carr's younger brother, Derek began immersing himself in game film as a preteen, and teammates say he is far ahead of most rookies.

Players were careful to pay respect to Schaub while at the same time give credit to Carr.

"Matt came in here and did a great job. So did all our quarterbacks. D.C. is behind center right now," wide receiver James Jones said. "We all support him."

Allen said Jackson is playing with the first team at left guard and Khalif Barnes is at right tackle ahead of Menelik Watson.

Tight end David Ausberry (knee) practiced for the first time in a month. Cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa and Taiwan Jones, both with knee strains, did not practice. Middle linebacker Nick Roach has yet to be cleared for a concussion suffered in the third exhibition game.